Abstract:
The rulemaking proposes to apply MACT (maximum achievable control technology)
requirements to major sources that produce rubber tires and/or their components.
There are 43 major sources in this source category owned by 14 companies.
The emission sources include rubber processing, cement and solvent usage,
tire cord production, and puncture sealant application. Hexane, toluene,
formaldehyde, styrene, and methanol are the primary pollutants emitted by
these sources. The proposed standards are based on the minimum control requirements
of section 112 of the Clean Air Act (i.e., the MACT floor). The largest
emissions source at these plants is the use of solvents and cements to hold
the tire components together during the manufacturing process until the
tire is formed and cured. The proposed standards for this source are based
on the use of pollution prevention techniques to reduce the use of air toxic-containing
solvents and cements to almost zero.